Human tracking device for hospitals, nursing homes, and private use

• US 8,400,295 B1
• Filed: 09/23/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ravinder Khaira
• Original Assignee: Ravinder Khaira
• Inventors: Khaira, Ravinder
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US12/888,867
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.12, 340/539.11, 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A tracking device for tracking a patient and providing patient data. The device features a base ring for securing around a patient'"'"'s wrist or ankle, the base ring is locked via a tamper-detecting optical lock with an alarm component. A microprocessor with a memory component is disposed in the base ring. A universal serial bus port for transferring data to and from the memory component is operatively connected to the microprocessor. An active radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit with a unique signature is disposed in the base ring, the active RFID has an antenna adapted to send signals from the RFID circuit and receive signals for the RFID circuit, the active RFID circuit is adapted to autonomously transmit signals within a range to an external communication system via the antenna, the signals representing location of the active RFID and information stored on the memory component.

Claims

1. A tracking device comprising:

(a) a base ring formed from a first half ring pivotally attached to a second half ring via a hinge, the base ring can pivot between at least an open position and a closed position, the base ring is adapted to be secured around an individual'"'"'s wrist or ankle, the base ring is constructed from a material comprising a para-aramid synthetic fiber;

(b) a locking means for securing the base ring in the closed position, the locking means is adapted to detect tampering;

(c) an alarm component disposed in the base ring;

(d) a microprocessor comprising software and a memory component, the microprocessor is operatively connected to the alarm component, the microprocessor is adapted to receive a first alarm input signal from the locking means when the locking means detects tampering whereupon the microprocessor sends a first alarm output command to the alarm component to active the alarm component, the memory component is adapted to temporarily store information;

(e) a universal serial bus (USB) port operatively connected to the microprocessor with the memory components, the USB port allows for data transfer to and from the memory component;

(f) an active radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the base ring, the active RFID has a unique signature, the active RFID circuit is operatively connected to each the microprocessor and to an antenna disposed in the base ring, the antenna is adapted to send signals from the RFID circuit and receive signals for the RFID circuit, the active RFID circuit is adapted to autonomously transmit signals within a range to an external communication system via the antenna, the signals representing location of the active RFID and information stored on the memory component; and

(g) a power source operatively connected to at least the active RFID circuit.

2. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the base ring further comprises a reinforced casing (constructed from a material comprising para-aramid synthetic fiber.

3. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the base ring has rounded edges for comfort.

4. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the locking means is an optical lock.

5. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the memory component comprises flash memory, read-only memory, random access memory, or a combination thereof.

6. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the information stored on the memory component includes a name, an age, a date of birth, a medical history, a physician name, a medical record, or a combination thereof.

7. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the memory component comprises a protection mechanism to prevent unwanted modification or unwanted erasing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the external communication device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) system.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the external communication system is a hospital alert system.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the range is between about 0 to 50 feet, between about 0 to 100 feet, between about 0 to 200 feet, between about 0 to 500 feet, between about 0 to 750 feet, between about 0 to 1000 feet, between about 0 to 1500 feet, or between about 0 to 2000 feet.

11. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

12. A method of verifying a patient'"'"'s identification, said method comprising:

(a) presenting a patient with a tracking device, said tracking device comprising (i) a base ring formed from a first half ring pivotally attached to a second half ring via a hinge, the base ring can pivot between at least an open position and a closed position, the base ring is secured around the patient'"'"'s wrist or ankle, the base ring is constructed from a material comprising a para-aramid synthetic fiber;

(ii) a locking means for securing the base ring in the closed position, the locking means is adapted to detect tampering;

(iii) an alarm component disposed in the base ring;

(iv) a microprocessor comprising software and a memory component, the microprocessor is operatively connected to the alarm component, the microprocessor is adapted to receive a first alarm input signal from the locking means when the locking means detects tampering whereupon the microprocessor sends a first alarm output command to the alarm component to active the alarm component, the memory component is adapted to temporarily store patient information;

(v) a universal serial bus (USB) port operatively connected to the microprocessor with the memory components, the USB port allows for data transfer to and from the memory component;

(vi) an active radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the base ring, the active RFID has a unique signature, the active RFID circuit is operatively connected to each the microprocessor and to an antenna disposed in the base ring, the antenna is adapted to send signals from the RFID circuit and receive signals for the RFID circuit, the active RFID circuit is adapted to autonomously transmit signals within a range to an external communication system via the antenna, the signals representing location of the active RFID and information stored on the memory component; and

(vii) a power source operatively connected to at least the active RFID circuit; and

(b) communicating with the RFID circuit via an external communication system, the external communication system is adapted to download the patient information relayed from the memory component to the RFID circuit.

13. The method claim 12, wherein the locking means is an optical lock.

14. The method claim 12, wherein the memory component comprises flash memory, read-only memory, random access memory, or a combination thereof.

15. The method claim 12, wherein the information stored on the memory component includes a name, an age, a date of birth, a medical history, a physician name, a medical record, or a combination thereof.

16. The method claim 12, wherein the memory component comprises a protection mechanism to prevent unwanted modification or unwanted erasing.

17. The method claim 12, wherein the external communication device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) system.

18. The method claim 12, wherein the external communication system is a hospital alert system.

19. The method claim 12, wherein the range is between about 0 to 50 feet, between about 0 to 100 feet, between about 0 to 200 feet, between about 0 to 500 feet, between about 0 to 750 feet, between about 0 to 1000 feet, between about 0 to 1500 feet, or between about 0 to 2000 feet.

20. The method claim 12, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.